Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-08-05
A FRONTIER HERO.

My first introduction to Dakota was
hardly one TO impress ether-that is, the
territory III myseif--With any very great
liking for the other. Bus we were both
young at that time, and Dakota, at least,
has greatly improved.
1t was early in the '70s-fifteen years
ago-that | found myself on q Missouri
river steamboat leaving Omaha and headed
up stream. I was not altogether clear as
to where | was going, but 1 had an idea
that | would stay by the boat as long as
my money held out-which would not be
very long. | hoped at least to reach Da-
kota. Not that [ had any particular
reason for going to Dakota more than to
Texas; but, on the other hand, had Texas
been as near l should certainly have been
as apt to have gone there
About all I knew-or any one else, for
that understanding Dakota was that
Yankton, in the extreme southeastern
part, was the capital, and that there was
little settlement in that region, little
more in the northeastern corner, with per-
haps very few scattering settlers along
the rivers elsewhere and number of
forts, each with few United States troops.
The reason that came to think l was
going to explore the west was that several
weeks before | had run away from home
with that observation-disclosures a very good
reason, but the only one I had. My
reason for running away from home was
even less obvious. But / was away and
too proud to go back-though subsequent
events reduced my stock of pride several
hundred per cent.-if may be allowed to
put it somewhat strongly. I was almost
beginning to consider myself man,
though l have since looked back at the
time calmly, and could not remember tflat
anybody else ever acted as if he consid-
cred me anything more than boy.
On the occasion of which I write the
boat Sadie Bolton plowed her way up the
thick, muddy waters of the Missouri. The
mate swore at the deck hands as occasion
required, the pilot swore at the river, the
engineer swore at the fireman and pilot
by turns, and the captain occasionally APP
peared and swore at things in general
Being of an fnquiring turn of mind, I
explored the lower deck and got into con-
versation with one of the crew. From
him | learned that Buck Hawkins was on
board. 1 had heard of Buck Hawkins
as the most dangerous man in that part
of the country. He staid up the river in
the neighborhood of Yankton most of the
time, but understood from my inform
Y dllU udtl Utta dONl1 W 1lUltlS OIL SOIll6
sort of business and was returning to
Yankton. | felt anxious to see him as
soon as I found he was on board The
man told me I doubtless could do so if
would take the trouble to hunt up the bar,
as he and some friends were indulging in
poker game in the immediate vicinity.
soon found the place, and to my whis
pered inquiry spectator informed me
which Of the four gathered around the
2aIG table rTas nav ininse I was some
what surprised, as he did not look as !
had pictured him. He was small, not
over five feet and seven or eight inches,
and evidently weighed less than $50
pounds. He had brown hair and gray
eyes, and although his face showed deter
mination and force, there was nothing of
the reckless desperate which l knew he
had the reputation Of being. l watched
the game for some time. I learned that
the other three were all professional gam
blers and that Hawkins was losing The
room was full of spectators, as it seemed
to possess interest for every one on the
boat Everybody expected trouble.
There were great stacks of chips and
money on the table and Hawkins and the
gambler opposite him each had a heavy
six shooter lying on the table in front of
in their belts. Every one knew that the
gamblers were not playing a square
game, and that it was only question Of
time when they got all of Hawkins
money. That was the time trouble was
expected. He had been drinking heavily,
and should he detect them cheating it
was known he would not hesitate to
shoot them all unless they shot him first.
All the afternoon / remained close by
the table watching the game intently. 1
had become almost as much interested as
the players. Hawkins money was slowly
but surely going Once when Hawkins
was dealing he happened to touch pile
of his chips and they rolled Off ON the
floor. Instantly I sprang and gathered
them up and placed them on the table.
He just glanced at me and said ''Thank
you,' and was deep i'll the game again.
A few minutes later there was jack pot.
Hawkins and the gambler went in. They
raised each other till there was several
thousand dollars in it. At last they laid
down their hands. Hawkins had four
kings, but the gambler had the four aces,
and reached for the money and chips.
81 reckon that was all fair parson?'
said Hawkins as he looked across the table
at his opponent.
eye bet it was, Buck; We know never
play no other way" replied the gambler,
showing some signs of nervousness.
''Im glad of it, said Hawkins, picking
up his revolver and holding it carelessly,
eve all know what I'd do if I thought it
WASN'T
esShoot, of course, Buck, that would be
all right-but it's squar', an We can bet
on it'
"All right" and Hawkins arose from
the table and went out 1 saw nothing
more of him that night.
The next day he approached me On deck
and talked few minutes. He guessed
that 1 had run away from home and ad
vised me to return, saying that it was no
country Tor boys. l could scarcely con-
ceive as he gave me this advice, which I
knew to be good, that he had without
doubt killed q dozen men-perhaps more.
But it was fact.
Hawkins left the boat at Sioux City and
went on to Yanzton. The next five Or
six weeks I spent in the vicinity of that
place working ON various farms. 1 did
not get very high wages, but l managed
to make my living. After some time
hired out to man who was driving some
stock up the river to the Yankton Indian
agency. There were some 200 or 300 head,
and there were several men along with
them. 10 make this trip had invested
in pony We arrived at the agency
after several days, and, finding that my
services would no longer be equired, I
started to return on my pony. l was
opposite Niobrara Neb., and back some
four or five miles from the river, when l
met two men ON horseback, each leadinga
string of five or six horses Some of the
ones which were being led were wild, and
were giving the men considerable trouble.
They hailed me, and after, as l thought,
asking an unnecessary lot Of questions
concerning who l was, where | came from
and where was going, one of them said
sI'm sheriff down in Newbrasky, an
my podner here is deputy. We've got some
bosses what was stole that we're takin'
back They don't lead very well, and I'll